At the end of every year, people lose their minds and make a bunch of resolutions they are never going to keep. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results – it’s time for a different approach.
What if we all learned from the prior year, took note of what was great, what wasn’t and what was a gigantic waste of time? Before you move fully into 2018, reflect on what was great about 2017. It is human nature to dwell on the negative, so we have to force ourselves to find/remember the positive.
If you don’t follow Tim Ferriss, do yourself a favor and do it now. Ferriss suggests doing the following in place of making resolutions.
- Map out 2017’s pros and cons. For example, a pro for me was my trip to Ireland and a con was losing two of my dogs (sorry to be a bummer). If you take stock in what was great in the past year and what sucked, you will have a much clearer picture of what needs to change in 2018. And no, the answer isn’t less dogs…it is more dogs (obviously).
- Go through your calendar week by week and take note of the people and activities that had a positive impact on you and the ones that didn’t. Who and what made you feel great? One of my biggest supporters is Sue Tellier of JetCo Solutions, whenever I need a swift kick in the ass, she is the one I call or text. I know for 2018 to be truly great, I need to make more time to connect with Sue and the other powerful women in my life. Something I want to cut back on is eating out, I did that a lot in 2017 and it was impossible to stay on a healthy diet.
- Now that you have the positive and negatives mapped out by week, schedule out time with the activities and people that make your life better. Rid yourself of the B.S. and fill that time with the great stuff. Is it morning meditation versus a breakfast meeting? Is it hosting friends for dinner at your house versus going out? Whatever it is, get it on the calendar now. The longer you wait, the less likely you’ll stick to it.
Screw the resolutions, you won’t keep them anyways. Try this approach and let me know your thoughts.
Originally published at www.smallbizmusings.com